Hamerski C, Proia AD.
Lasiodiplodia theobromae keratitis: A rare tropical fungal keratitis in a non-tropical climate.
Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2023;
32:101944. [PMID:
37915727 PMCID:
PMC10616133 DOI:
10.1016/j.ajoc.2023.101944]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose
We present the clinical and histopathological findings of a geographically unique Lasiodiplodia theobromae fungal keratitis case in North Carolina. L. theobromae is a rare cause of fungal keratitis, and all but one of the 51 previously reported cases have occurred in patients living in the tropics.
Observations
A man in his early 50s developed L. theobromae keratitis after being struck in the left eye by a piece of debris while using a flexible-cord weed trimmer. Intracapsular lensectomy and penetrating keratoplasty were necessary when initial antimicrobial therapy was ineffective. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 four years postoperatively.
Conclusions and Importance
Our patient is only the second example of L. theobromae keratitis in a patient living in a sub-tropical climate and the first case in the U.S.A. outside of Florida. Additional in-vitro antibiotic sensitivity testing and documentation of more clinical cases are needed to define the optimal therapy for Lasiodiplodia theobromae keratitis.
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